This 2014 retrospective audit evaluated the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of combination phentermine and topiramate therapy for weight maintenance in 103 patients at the Austin Health Weight Control Clinic. Patients initially achieved a 10% weight loss through a very low energy diet (VLED). Among them, 61 discontinued the combination therapy,
This 15-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of Hoodia gordonii purified extract (HgPE) in 49 healthy overweight women. Participants consumed 2 servings per day of 1110 mg HgPE or placebo in a yogurt drink. The HgPE group experienced adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and skin
This 2006 multicentre retrospective study evaluated the safety and patient satisfaction associated with subcutaneous phosphatidylcholine injections for localized fat reduction. Thirty-nine trained UK physicians reported outcomes from 10,581 treatments over an average of 13.1 months. Local adverse effects such as swelling, erythema, and tenderness were mostly rated as mild or
This 2014 review evaluates the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in neurological disorders. High-quality clinical trials support the use of cannabinoids for multiple sclerosis-related spasticity, opioid-refractory pain, glaucoma, and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Lower-level evidence suggests potential benefits in conditions like dystonia, tics, tremors, epilepsy, migraine, and weight loss. Adverse effects
This 2020 study by Gautret et al. claimed that hydroxychloroquine, particularly when combined with azithromycin, significantly reduced SARS-CoV-2 viral load in COVID-19 patients. The open-label, non-randomized trial involved 36 participants and reported that the combination therapy led to faster viral clearance compared to controls. However, the study faced immediate criticism
This 2003 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of topiramate (TPM) for weight loss in 385 obese adults aged 18–75. Participants were assigned to receive placebo or TPM at doses of 64, 96, 192, or 384 mg/day, alongside a standardized lifestyle program. After 24 weeks, mean weight
This 1997 editorial by M. Deitel discusses findings from a multicenter case-control study involving 95 patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) and 355 matched controls. The study identified a significant association between the use of anorexic agents, particularly fenfluramine derivatives, and the development of PPH. The risk increased with longer
This study analyzed data from the Global Burden of Disease Study to assess mortality associated with adverse effects of medical treatment (AEMT) in the U.S. between 1990 and 2016. Findings revealed that AEMT was a significant cause of mortality, with notable increases in deaths over the study period. The analysis
This expert commentary reviews the concerns surrounding statin therapy in adults aged 75 and older, particularly in the context of primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). While statins are proven to reduce cardiovascular events in younger populations, the evidence in older adults is less definitive, especially for those without established
This systematic review analyzed 69 studies (22 animal and 47 human) to assess the safety and immunological effects of high-dose Viscum album L. (European mistletoe) extracts. In animal studies, doses up to 1400 mg/kg were administered without lethal outcomes, though some reversible adverse effects were noted. Human studies involved doses
